Disney’s The Lion King Comes to the Broward Center

Casting has been announced for the Fort Lauderdale engagement of Disney’s The Lion King. Fort Lauderdale’s eagerly-awaited stage production will leap onto the Broward Center for the Performing Art’s Au-Rene stage from Wednesday, January 7 to Sunday, February 1, 2015.

The production features Patrick R. Brown as “Scar”, L. Steven Taylor as “Mufasa”, Tshidi Manye as “Rafiki”, Drew Hirshfield as “Zazu”, Ben Lipitz as “Pumbaa”, Nick Cordileone as “Timon”, Jelani Remy as “Simba”, Nia Holloway as “Nala”, Keith Bennett as “Banzai”, Rashada Dawan as “Shenzi” and Robbie Swift as “Ed.”

The North American touring productions of The Lion King have been seen by more than 15 million theatergoers and grossed over $1 billion to date. Having already played more than 70 cities across North America, The Lion King now proudly makes its Fort Lauderdale return at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

In its 18th year, The Lion King remains ascendant as one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 22 global productions have been seen by more than 75 million people and, cumulatively, run a staggering 112 years. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), The Lion King is only the second show in history to generate five productions worldwide running 10 or more years. Translated into seven different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish and Portuguese), productions of The Lion King can currently be seen on Broadway, London’s West End, Hamburg, Tokyo, Madrid, Sao Paulo, Sydney, Australia and on tour across North America, the U.K., and Japan. Having played 19 countries on every continent except Antarctica, THE LION KING’s worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or other entertainment title in box office history.

The Lion King won six 1998 Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Choreography and Best Direction of a Musical. The Lion King has also earned more than 70 major arts awards including the 1998 NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical and the 1999 Grammy for Best Musical Show Album.

The show’s director, costume designer and mask co-designer Julie Taymor continues to play an integral part in the show’s ongoing success. The first woman to win a Tony Award for Direction of a Musical, Taymor has in recent years supervised new productions of the show around the world.

The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice’s music from The Lion King animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice; additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer; and music from “Rhythm of the Pride Lands,” an album inspired by the original music in the film, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer. The resulting sound of The Lion King is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, ranging from the Academy Award-winning song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” to the haunting ballad “Shadowland.”

In Fort Lauderdale The Lion King will play Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sunday evenings at 6:30 p.m., Saturday matinees at 2 p.m., Thursday January 8, Wednesday, January 28, and Sunday matinees at 1 p.m.

Tickets are available at the Box Office at Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33312, visit browardcenter.org or call 1-800-745-3000. Ticket prices for the engagement start as low as $36.75. Premium Ticket Packages, which include prime seat locations, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available. Orders for groups of ten (10) or more may be placed by calling 954-660-6307.